Latest KFF Health News Stories
Abortion Up To 24 Weeks Decriminalized In Colombia
The country’s constitutional court voted Monday to change the law, in what AP notes is another move to expand abortion access across Latin America. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is lifting covid restrictions, even as Queen Elizabeth II tested positive in what is reportedly a mild case.
Viewpoints: What We Have Learned From Aduhelm; Florida Is Now Trying To Restrict Abortion Access
Editorial writers delve into these various public health topics.
Scientists Hint Why Kids Have Milder Covid Outcomes
The “innate immune system,” the body’s very first reactions to infection, is the source of childrens’ milder covid experience, it’s reported. Meanwhile, a study shows that even though fewer children visit emergency rooms due to covid, more visited due to mental health issues during the pandemic.
Florida Hospital Association Argues Against Cutting Medicaid Funds
The worry is that budget proposals which cut around $300 million for a “critical care fund” will affect the lots of the most vulnerable patients, WUSF reports. Meanwhile Axios notes results from a FAIR Health study showing the cost of an ambulance ride has “soared” over the last five years.
Cities Try To Tackle Homelessness Conditions Made Worse By Pandemic
New York City says it will try to offer support for the people now barred from sleeping in the subway system. Los Angeles resumes its count of people without housing. In Sacramento, vulnerable people say there is not enough access to bathrooms and water to keep them safe from covid.
AstraZeneca Breast Cancer Drug Shows Success In Trials
Enhertu, which has been undergoing a late-stage clinical trial, helps patients with a particular type of breast cancer live longer — thus expanding other treatment options. It’s the first such therapeutic success against metastatic breast cancer in patients with low levels of a protein called HER2.
Maine Reports Its First Avian Flu Case
Meanwhile, even as the influenza season is wrapping up, and seemed to be a mild one, worries emerge that it’s not over yet. In other news, a rise in teenage girls with eating disorders visiting the ER; concerns over toxic chemicals in some covid tests; a surge in pedestrian deaths; and more.
Hospitalizations Down As Omicron’s Grip Starts To Exhaust
With fewer U.S. cases, one doctor tells AP: “I think what’s influencing the decline, of course, is that omicron is starting to run out of people to infect.”
NY Won’t Enforce Health Worker Booster Mandate That Takes Effect Today
With a large number of health workers who are not yet boosted, New York says it will work to increase uptake over the next three months before reconsidering the requirement.
New Agency, Same Sticking Points: Bipartisan Support For ARPA-H Eroding
Politico reports that the adversarial political climate is spilling over into debate about President Joe Biden’s proposed Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, despite its mission to boost medical research. Other issues reported from the Hill include drugs, burn pits, sick leave, and more.
FDA Plans For Possible Fourth Covid Shot This Fall
The Wall Street Journal reports that the FDA is looking ahead to potentially authorizing a second booster dose of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA covid vaccines, if studies show a benefit to maintaining protection.
First Edition: February 22, 2022
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Safer Covid Pills Are On The Horizon; Is It Time To Relax Covid Restrictions?
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid topics.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues:
Toxic Forever Chemicals Found In Neighbors Of Delaware Air Base
Samples from residents near to the Air National Guard base have significantly higher than average levels of toxic PFAS chemicals. School water supplies in Philadelphia, meanwhile, tested positive for lead contamination, with nearly 2 in 3 water outlets in 65 schools showing high levels.
Africa Suffered More In Pandemic Than Was Thought
New studies suggest both infection counts and death figures have been undermeasured across Africa, leading to the impression the continent was doing better against covid than it really was. To support vaccinations in Africa, the U.S. is spending $250 million to help poorer nations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds stories worth your time reading over the long weekend. This week’s selections include stories on covid, antidepressants, racism, transgender athletes, mifepristone, and more.
Controversial PBM Practices Will Go Unprobed By FTC
The Federal Trade Commission had been planning a study to see if pharmacy benefit managers’ work poorly affects independent and specialty pharmacies, but ultimately voted to not investigate. BestCo, Agios’ anemia drug, the Purdue Pharma opioid settlement and more are also in pharmaceutical news.
Military Academy Sexual Assaults Reported Sharply Up In 2021
In other news, to beat a storm, Southwest Airlines recently flew a pair of donor lungs to St. Louis; Sure and Brut deodorant sprays are being recalled due to benzene contamination; worries about the CoolSculpting beauty procedure; and a fatal police shooting of a man in mental health crisis.
One Of Life’s Little Annoyances Solved: iPhones Will Recognize You In A Mask
The updated Face ID feature, part of iOS 15.4, is expected to be released in early March, Bloomberg and other news outlets reported. Meanwhile, states, cities and schools across the U.S. continue to lift mask mandates, and big companies are reconsidering their vaccine mandates.